Beth I. Robinson M.S. is an artist, art conservator, & facilitator exploring bereavement and the conflict it creates. She offers options for grieving well and companionship through her artwork, workshops, grief coaching, and by facilitating alternate options for grief support and reconciliation through art and art history.

At the time of conception for this project the US was actively fighting war in four countries. The year is 2011.

When I began “The Hunt” earlier this winter and experienced my object I couldn’t help but become overwhelmed by the sadness of war. My original object being a World War II German Surgical Field Kit had been used in active duty. The box – not much bigger than a shoebox – shone brightly in high-polished steel and held tray after tray of instruments meticulously fit inside one another for known placement upon urgent need.

I felt a sense of uselessness for this entire object. If it exists only to heal or cure those who do harm, why heal them? Why heal the warmonger if they will only continue to cause death and destruction?

I’ve titled this piece, “…And after all the years we still haven’t learned to love” (from the 1960’s film It Started in Naples) because I feel as though we, the human race, haven’t learned to love. We haven’t learned from our history of death and destruction; haven’t moved forward from those fighting days in World War II when today, we continue this uselessness.

“For the prevention and cure of Sore Nipple, these Shields should be applied as soon after delivery as possible, and in using them the only attention required is to wipe the Nipple previously to nursing and apply the Shield again immediately afterwards. They are in no way likely to be injurious to the infact…Should the edge of the Shield become inverted, it may be instantly restored by being laid on a flat surface, and rubbed round with the finger.”

Directions for the use of Dr. Wansbrough’s Metallic Nipple Shields, July 1842

The relationship that a mother’s nipple has to a child’s development is fundamental. Humans are nursed to maturation. A woman’s nipple comes into contact with a nursing infant a bodily connection is formed; the nourishment of life through milk.

Of particular curiosity in this creative process was the point at which a child makes a physical connection with a mother. After discovering information on my assigned medical object, Metallic Nipple Shields, I realized my interest lay in creatively responding to this object using an early photographic technique. These techniques are commonly described as alternative processes. Here a glass pane has been smoked and a layer of carbon applied to one surface, thus allowing a print to register. This pane then served as a negative in a Photogram-like process.

Young women, possibly future mothers themselves, created a social dimension to this project. They graciously lent their nipples for the creation of this piece. A special thanks to Hannah, Claire, Katrina, and Katie.

Friday, August 19, 2011

The Einhorn Saccharometer is a device used to determine the gravity and density of sugar in a liquid solution. Though first used in making wine, sorbet, and ice-cream, it later became the primary way to test blood sugar, and diagnose diabetes.

The Saccharometer made it possible to prefect the indulgence of sugar, while also identifying illness caused by that very same knowledge. I wanted to play with the sense of duality the object possessed.

Dolly Dimples was known as "The World's Most Beautiful Fat Lady". She was one of the most popular sideshow performers at the Ringling Brothers circus. While well over 500lbs. Dolly had many suitors and was quite glamorous. I was inspired by circus prints and the structure of the sugar molecule and human blood cells. I wanted my materials and color palette to reflect her personality. A portrait of Dolly, and her life on display.